New research suggests that people who discontinue new weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro tend to recover reduced body mass much more quickly than those who stop conventional diet and exercise regimens.
Published data in a prominent medical journal shows that while overweight people often shed substantial amounts of their total mass while undergoing treatment, the mass comes back at an estimated rate of nearly a kilo each month once they quit.
"Users using these treatments need to be informed of the risk of rapid rebound weight gain when the medication ends," cautioned researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of regain implies a reversion to original weight in about 18 months.
Weighing Treatments
The study, which examined 37 of studies involving thousands of participants, compared the effects of these new drugs with older methods.
Researchers point out that people who lose weight through dieting generally have a less rapid creep back—around 100 grams monthly—once they finish.
Explaining the Rapid Rebound
Doctors believe the way of the jabs explains the accelerated weight return.
The injections copy a natural hormone called GLP-1, which controls hunger.
"Artificially providing GLP-1 concentrations several times higher than the body's typical production could lead to the body to produce less of its endogenous hormone, and may also diminish responsiveness to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics specialist.
"Withdrawal of this hormone supplement results in hunger is unsuppressed, making excessive eating much more probable."
A Chronic Condition?
Medical guidelines advise the injections for individuals with obesity-related health risks, accompanied by prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Many experts contend that, given the likelihood of weight regain, the therapy is often ongoing.
This opinion is reinforced by pharmaceutical companies, who say that the findings "underscore the persistent nature of excess weight," akin to managing diseases like high blood pressure.
Patient Accounts
Users who have come off the medication explain a sudden resurgence of appetite.
"It was like a trigger flipping and you become starving," recalled one woman.
This challenge is compounded if individuals have not established sustainable dietary or behavioural changes during therapy.
Significant Adoption
Survey data indicate that millions of people in the UK have tried weight-loss jabs in the past year, with interest remaining high.
- Use is more common among women compared to males.
- The 40s and 50s demographic shows the highest level of interest.
- Many access the drugs through private healthcare rather than the NHS.
In conclusion, experts stress that while the jabs are powerful tools for weight loss, they are not a permanent solution and lasting health benefits likely depends on combined lifestyle support.
